Empire Ears ESR MKII vs Legend Evo
Introduction
The Empire Ears ESR MKII and Legend Evo are premium IEMs designed to deliver a crisp, impactful, and detailed sound. Let's compare both models so you can find the best in-ear monitors for your listening preferences.
Not the right fit? Browse other In-Ear Monitors from Empire Ears.
Empire Ears ESR MKII vs Legend Evo Price Comparison
The Empire Ears ESR MKII and Legend Evo sit at two very different price points.
The ESR MKII comes in at $1,099.00.
The Legend Evo comes in at $3,099.00.
The Legend Evo costs 3x more than the ESR MKII. Let's dive deep into the specs, design, sound signatures, and features of both so you can get a better idea of what each IEM brings to the table.
The Empire Ears ESR MKII
The ESR MKII is Empire Ears' studio-reference IEM. It features a five-driver hybrid setup with three BA and two Electrostatic drivers. In terms of features, the ESR MKII packs SynX, EIVEC, and A.R.C technology for enhanced sound and reliability.
Empire Ears ESR MKII Features:
- 5-driver hybrid system with 3 BA + 2 electrostatic drivers
- 4-way synX crossover with EIVEC for electrostatic integration
- A.R.C. technology to reduce resonance for cleaner sound
- Brushed Silver aluminum faceplate with ergonomic resin shell
- Includes Alpha IV UPOCC Copper Litz cable
Empire Ears ESR MKII Specs:
Driver Configuration: 3x Balanced Armature Drivers + 2x Electrostatic Drivers
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 100kHz
Sensitivity: 111dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Crossover: 4-Way synX Crossover Network
Impedance: 3.9 Ohms @ 1kHz
The Empire Ears Legend Evo
The Legend Evo is the evolution of Empire Ears' Legend X IEM. It features an eight-driver tribrid design consisting of W9+ Subwoofers, Prioprietary Balanced Armature Drivers, and a Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver. The Legend Evo boasts A.R.C Resonance Mitigation Technology and a premium Empire x PWAudio GENESIS Cable.
Empire Ears Legend Evo Features:
- W9+ Subwoofers
- Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver
- 9-way synX Crossover Network
- Dual Conduction Architecture
- A.R.C Resonance Mitigation Technology
Empire Ears Legend Evo Specs:
Driver Configuration: 2x W9+ Subwoofers - 5x Balanced Armatures - 1x Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 40kHz
Sensitivity: 108dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Crossover: 9-Way synX Crossover Network
Impedance: 3 Ohms @ 1kHz
Design and Build Quality
The Empire Ears ESR MKII and Legend Evo are unmistakably premium IEMs, boasting exceptional build quality, design, and ergonomics.
The ESR MKII keeps things simple and sleek. It features medical-grade resin shell that's ergonomic and lightweight, ensuring long-term comfort. The brushed aluminum faceplate adds a subtle touch of refinement, while the A.R.C. compound reduces driver vibration and resonance for a cleaner and more accurate sound.
The Empire Ears Legend Evo features a simple yet elegant design. The piano black semi-transparent shells are made from solid resin material for a solid and lightweight feel. On front of each earbud are two incredible logos in gold: a golden EVO logo and Empire Ears Wingspan insignia.
The Legend Evo's exterior is great, but its what's inside that is truly special. Each earbud is Anti Resonance Compound (ARC)-treated for superior sound control, while the inner shells are coated in custom spec cast polymer for reduced vibrations.
Sound Signature
You're probably looking to see how these IEMs stack up on sound. We'll share our thoughts here, although keep in mind this information tends to be anecdotal and subjective.
ESR MKII Sound Signature
The ESR MKII features a neutral, studio-reference tuning. It offers a clear and detailed listening experience with its accurate vocals and instrumentals, making it a great IEM for critical listening and professional monitoring.
Bass is tight and punchy with the ESR MKII but is leaner and less prominent than the U12t's bass. Midrange is clean and detailed, allowing you to hear subtle details like breaths and guitar slides. The treble is sparkly and well-extended, adding extra air and space between instruments. Soundstage-wise, the ESR MKII has a realistic soundstage with accurate sound positioning.
Legend Evo Sound Signature
The Legend Evo sports a W-Shaped tuning, with powerful bass, clear vocals, and extended treble. In normal listening, the Legend Evo delivers a life-like rendition of vocals and instrumentals with excellent clarity and detail. With that said, the Legend Evo's real weapon is its incredible bass.
The bass in the Legend Evo is easily some of the best you'll ever experience in an IEM. Low frequencies come through with a visceral, subwoofer-like feel, without sounding muddy or overwhelming. Despite the powerful bass, vocals and other instruments sound clear and well-defined.
Price and Value
The $1,099 Empire Ears ESR MKII is tuned and designed for serious mixing and mastering work at home or in the studio. Its flat tuning presents music as intended by the artist, making it the perfect pair of IEMs for critical listening or studio work. The ESR MKII comes with a case, cleaning cloth/tool, Final Audio Type E Tips in various sizes, and a premium Alpha-IV cable in the box.
The $3,099 Legend Evo features a total of eight drivers in a tribrid configuration. Under the hood are 2 Next Generation W9+ Subwoofers, 5 Proprietary Balanced Armature Drivers, and a Weapon X Bone Conduction Driver. All eight drivers are synced through a 9-Way synX Crossover Network. All this is packed inside a high-quality piano black resin shell with ARC treatment.
In the box you get a premium Empire x PWAudio GENESIS Ultra Pure OCC Copper Cable, a hand-crafted leather case, and a wide selection of premium ear tips from Final Audio.
Our Thoughts
If you're looking for the most accurate sound from an IEM, the ESR MKII is the one to get. With the ESR MKII, your music will sound pure, clean, and immaculate - just like it would in the studio. Its balanced bass, midrange, and treble frequencies make it easy to pick out every note and detail in music, while its realistic soundstage lets you enjoy your favorite music with satisfying immersion. In the box, you get a decent selection of accessories, including a premium cable and a wide selection of ear tips.
The Legend Evo offers a rare combination of bass power and clarity, making it a great option for listening to genres like Pop or Electronic. There are very few IEMs that can match the Legend Evo's bass power and quality, yet it doesn't fall flat when reproducing vocals and other instruments. The overall sound is big and impactful, but smooth - the IEM to get if you want to experience energy and excitement from your music.
Elevate Your Listening Experience With These Related Articles
Enjoyed this article? Check out our other product comparisons!